The football season is officially underway at Bloomfield High, as the Bengals have started wearing helmets and pads in practice.

The season opener is just two weeks away, as the team will host archrival Nutley on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.

Coach Mike Carter enters his 28th season with an experienced team.

"They're great kids," said Carter last week during a break in practice. "We got through the heat acclimation process pretty well. The weather's been hot, but it's early August, and it's a not a surprise. The kids are excited about the season and our coaches are really enjoying working with these guys."

The work ethic among the players and coaches was expressed well on a T-shirt, worn by a coach, which read "Hard Work Beats Talent, when Talent Don't Work Hard."

With the warmer weather, Carter has opted for early-morning practices.

"We're getting our work in," said Carter. "And the good thing is, getting them on and off the field, and a chance to hydrate as much as possible."

Bloomfield's first scrimmage is scheduled for Aug. 15 at home against Shabazz, NV/Demarest and Johnson Regional. The Bengals are scheduled to play at Summit on Aug. 20 at 10 a.m. and the team's game scrimmage will once again be opposite West Essex, at Foley Field on Aug. 23 at 5 p.m.